THIS week I have had important meetings with Nigel Edwards, acting chairman of the NHS Confederation, with 11 MPs, Sir George Alberti, president of the Royal College of Physicians, and Elizabeth Manero, chairman of London Health Link.
Elizabeth is a highly respected vocal representative of the citizens' voice.
These meetings were to discuss plans for the future of emergency hospital services in the face of the shortage of medical staff of all grades.
Sir George goes so far as to predict that perhaps half of all the district general hospitals in the country will have to be downgraded in some way or another.

However, he does agree that every hospital has to have a "front door" with sufficient back-up to cope with a range of emergencies and accidents that occur locally. His opinion is the silver lining for us who have lost so much. Thus I am very hopeful that the return of some services to Kidderminster - which has started - could continue.

With other hospitals we are planning a lobby of Parliament on March 25 to publicise the problems for patients of hospital downgrading and possible solutions. Details of this will be available soon.

At home, I had a fascinating morning with a representative of the Prince's Trust visiting three businesses that had been started with help from this organisation.

First we visited a talented artist with stained glass, working in Bewdley Museum, then a stonemason, working single-handed from Hartlebury Common who produces highly artistic fireplaces, and stone ornaments, but badly needs publicity.
Finally, we toured a candle-making business on the Hartlebury Trading Estate which is now a flourishing and innovative organisation.

I heard about the other Prince's Trust programmes particularly aimed at people from the age of 14 to about 25, and I shall be investigating with them if we can get any more help for our own young people.

I had a useful visit to the Offmore Farm Estate with Councillors Mike and Fran Oborski and Chief Supt Suzette Davenport, and was saddened to hear of the intimidation of residents by gangs of kids ranging in age from the very young to 18 and even 21.

It is so sad that there is so little available for youths that they are reduced to congregating on street corners.
Partnerships between the district council, Wyre Forest Community Housing, the police and tenants associations will help in the long run, but somehow we need to develop facilities for young people to improve the quality of their lives.